Our Ground, Our Voices

Our Ground, Our Voices builds from the lived experiences of young women of color and focuses on how race, gender, and their intersection impact the structural barriers they face. Addressing these challenges requires large-scale investment and bold policy proposals to achieve meaningful change.

Young Men and Women of Color

EVENT: A Conversation on Youth Economic Mobility, Equity, and Justice

Oct 9, 2018 | Report/Brief | Kisha Bird

Unjustice: Overcoming Trump's Rollbacks on Youth Justice

Dec 7, 2017 | Report/Brief | Kisha Bird

Forgotten and Left Behind: Shifting Narratives and Exploring Policy Solutions for Vulnerable Youth and Young Adults

Young people need education, leadership opportunities, and career and life guidance to successfully transition to adulthood. Yet 5 million youth ages 18 to 24 are unattached to school and work. These youth, who are disproportionately youth of color, experience lifelong consequences, including negative health outcomes and reduced earnings potential. That’s why CLASP advocates for federal, state, and local policies that prevent youth from dropping out and reconnect them to education and work. When we invest in young people, we break the cycle of poverty, spark our economy, and strengthen our nation’s future.

Featured Expert:

Nia West-Bey

Senior Policy Analyst, Youth

Opportunity Youth

New from CLASP

February 14, 2019 | News Clip | Young Men and Women of Color

How Universities, Students Can Advance Equity For Women Of Color

January 30, 2019 | News Clip | Youth and Young Adults

Bringing Visibility to Young Women of Color

November 8, 2018 | News Clip | Youth and Young Adults

Midterm Elections Could Be Positive for After-school, Youth Protections: Advocates

November 5, 2018 | Blog Post | Youth and Young Adults

Advancing Youth Enrollment Act would help 5.7 million uninsured young adults gain coverage

October 10, 2018 | Press Release | Criminal Justice

Trump’s Assaults on Youth Justice

The Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act

The Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) governs federal workforce training programs. Under WIOA, states are required to spend 75 percent of funds on out-of-school youth. That's a significant increase over the previous law. States should seize the moment to develop innovative programs that help young people succeed economically.

WIOA Game Plan for Low-Income People